US sanctions Colombians for their role in fueling the war in Sudan

December 9, 2025 (PEN) The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four individuals and four entities, accusing them of "fueling the civil war in Sudan" through a cross-border network that recruits fighters – including children – to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces.

The U.S. Treasury said the network, which is dominated by Colombian citizens and companies, has been recruiting hundreds of former Colombian military personnel since 2024 to fight on several fronts inside Sudan, including Khartoum, Kordofan and El Fasher.

John Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stressed that the Rapid Support Forces "have repeatedly shown a willingness to target civilians, including infants," adding that "their brutality has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region."

The statement added that since April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces have committed systematic killings of men and boys, sexual attacks against women and girls, as well as preventing civilians from receiving humanitarian aid, noting that they committed "new atrocities" during their control of El Fasher in October 2025 with the support of Colombian fighters.

The ministry stated that the sanctions include freezing the assets of the individuals and entities covered within the United States or under the authority of its citizens, and prohibit any financial transactions with them, warning that violating the sanctions could lead to civil or criminal penalties.

According to the statement, the investigations were carried out in cooperation with the US Customs and Border Protection, stressing that the goal of the sanctions is to "change behavior" and not to punish for its own sake.